Exam Bulletin - Research Scientist I (Social/Behavioral Sciences)

State of California

Exam Code: EX-3305

Examination Plans Included:

  • RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES) - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES): $6,512.00 - $8,093.00 per Month

View the RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES) classification specification.

Application Instructions

The Research Scientist I includes the following specialties:

Research Scientist I (Chemical Sciences)
Research Scientist I (Epidemiology/Biostatistics)
Research Scientist I (Microbiological Sciences)
Research Scientist I (Physical/Engineering Sciences)
Research Scientist I (Social/Behavioral Sciences)

When completing the minimum qualifications page, you must fill in all applicable experience for each specialty (i.e., chemical, epidemiology/biostatistics, microbiological, physical/engineering, and social/behavioral sciences) that you wish to apply for. Once you have taken the exam and receive results, you will not be allowed to add any additional specialty or retake the exam for 12 months.


If you have tested for the Research Scientist 1 classification as part of any of the specialties in the series within the previous 12 months, it may be too early for you to take this exam. Please check your CalCareer account for the retake date on your exam results notification for this classification BEFORE continuing this exam process. Retaking this exam under another or a new User I.D. and password, Social Security Number (voluntary, not required, information), or name is not allowed.

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES) - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    3305

For RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-03305

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00105580 - RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES)

Education: The required degree must have been obtained from a recognized U.S. university or from a foreign university approved by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education under the provision of California Education Code Chapter 3, Part 59, Division 10.

Experience: One year of research experience in a field relevant to the stated specialty. One year towards completion of an advanced degree of the stated specialty or a closely related field may be substituted for this experience. and

Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree in the stated specialty or a closely related field.

Position Description

00105580 - RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES)

Under supervision of senior scientific research personnel, incumbents plan, organize, and carry out scientific research studies of limited scientific scope and complexity; may serve as a team member on public health projects and investigations or act as a technical scientific consultant on a specific phase of a more complex scientific study; make independent decisions in a very limited or restricted area of a specific scientific field; solve problems using standard principles, procedures, and techniques for their scientific area of expertise when fully trained, and perform other related work. The incumbent's work is reviewed to see that it conforms to established policies and procedures.

Incumbents in this parenthetical are distinguished from other Research Scientists by being required to apply the theoretical models and research methods of the social/behavioral sciences, particularly the disciplines of psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, and political science as they relate to public health issues. Work in this parenthetical requires knowledge in one or more of these disciplines to conduct analyses of personality, community, cultural, family, economy, and policy on health, health behavior, treatment, and disease prevention in California. This specialty carries out scientific work related to the evaluations of public health programs. Among the factors the incumbent examines for health behavior implications are: social and economic trends, race, social and economic inequality, economic impacts and cost factors of policies, ethnic diversity, personality and psychological factors, individual and organizational performance, community dynamics and structure, and community and statewide decision making and policy development. The results of this research would be used in developing new effective public health prevention programs focused on preventing unhealthful behaviors and promoting health by behavior modification through health education.

Desirable Qualifications

In appraising the relative qualifications of candidates, consideration will be given to the extent and type of pertinent training, experience, and research accomplishments for the designated specialty over and above that required under "Minimum Qualifications."

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for optimal performance when accessing the examination.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Current scientific research literature and trends applicable to the scientific research area
  2. Principles and procedures of scientific research planning, design, methodology and analysis 
  3. Methods of preparation of scientific research reports 
  4. Scientific statistical methods and procedures 
  5. Data processing techniques 
  6. Bibliographic survey or previous related scientific research techniques 
  7. Determination and qualification of variables and mechanization of compilation of scientific data
Ability to:
  1. Evaluate the adequacy of proposed scientific research designs and techniques
  2. Think independently and creatively
  3. Establish and maintain cooperative relations with professional staff and with officials of Federal, State, local, university and private research organizations 
  4. Communicate effectively
  5. Prepare scientific articles for publication
  6. Prepare scientific reports 
  7. Provide persuasive and skilled leadership to other staff in scientific research, principles and methods 
  8. Apply professional scientific knowledge and administrative ability to resolve a variety of situations 
  9. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action
  10. Participate as a team member of public health research or scientific investigation projects
  11. Make independent decisions in a very limited area of a scientific field
  12. Provide information to higher-level scientists in support of decisions on scientific research 
  13. Interpret scientific findings and present to higher-level scientists 
  14. Apply established guidelines and scientific techniques

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the RESEARCH SCIENTIST I (SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES) Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Research Scientist I (Social/Behavioral Sciences) Training and Experience Exam Preview

Instructions:
Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question and provide relevant examples. Also, indicate the references who can verify the information provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your EDUCATION or WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer work that you have completed.

PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. Possession of specific education is not required to be successful in this examination; however, such achievements may substitute for desirable levels of experience. All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

Tasks:

  1. Plan and organize scientific research studies of limited scientific scope and complexity.
  2. Carry out scientific research studies of limited scientific scope and complexity.
  3. Serve as a team member on health projects and investigations on a specific phase of a more complex scientific study.
  4. Act as a technical scientific consultant on health projects and investigations on a specific phase of a more complex scientific study.
  5. Make independent decisions in a very limited or restricted area of a specific scientific field.
  6. Solve problems using standard principles, procedures, and techniques for their scientific area of expertise when fully trained.
  7. Collect scientific data in support of health research.
  8. Interpret scientific data in support of health research.
  9. Develop and maintain a current understanding of latest scientific methods and statistical techniques relevant for the type of studies undertaken.
  10. Accumulate and maintain scientific literature relevant to scientific investigations and statistical methods.
  11. Present findings at internal and external agency meetings and conferences.
  12. Contact other parties when necessary for retrieving data for study purposes.
  13. Apply principles and procedures of scientific research planning, design, methodology and analysis.
  14. Use methods of preparation of scientific research reports.
  15. Determine, qualify, and compile variables of scientific data.
  16. Use current scientific statistical methods and procedures, including both qualitative and quantitative.
  17. Use data processing and analysis techniques, specifically knowledge of data analysis software in addition to Microsoft Excel.
  18. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with professional staff and with officials of Federal, State, local, university and private research organizations.
  19. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to peer, management, and lay audiences.
  20. Prepare and draft detailed scientific reports for publication.
  21. Apply professional scientific knowledge and administrative ability to resolve a variety of situations.
  22. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
  23. Provide information to higher-level scientists in support of decisions on scientific research.
  24. Interpret scientific findings and present to higher-level scientists.
  25. Apply established guidelines and scientific techniques.
  26. Apply security and privacy policies when using confidential and sensitive data.

Testing Departments

  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

State of California
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)